How rugby union fell out of love with the drop-goal

Wilkinson kicked 36 drop-goals for England, including this iconic one to win the 2003 World CupTom Jenkins/Getty Images

A scene from Alnwick rugby club, on the cold, still Monday evening of November 24, 2003. On the main pitch, Newcastle Falcons’ second XV are playing at home to Rotherham and their fly half is one Mark Wilkinson. Two days earlier, Wilkinson’s younger brother, also a Newcastle player, had kicked the winning drop-goal for England’s World Cup final victory over Australia, and the effect was already being felt at Alnwick.

On a pitch adjacent to the main action, clustered around the two sets of posts, scores of young boys and girls are practising their drop-goals. Some are also attempting place-kicks, generally imitating Wilkinson’s hunched pose, hands clasped in front, but the majority are trying to kick a ball on the half-volley over a crossbar that…

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